Explore an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum—all under one living roof.

Getting Here

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Save $3 on admission when you walk, bike, or take public transportation! For additional help getting to and from the Academy, please visit Bay Area 511 or Google Transit.

Public Transit to Golden Gate Park

The N-Judah Muni Metro streetcar, which is wheelchair-accessible, stops at 9th Avenue and Irving Street. To reach the Academy, travel north on 9th Avenue into Golden Gate Park. Ninth Avenue becomes Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.—keep going until you reach Music Concourse Drive, then turn right and continue to the Academy's entrance. This half-mile walk takes approximately 10 minutes; if you prefer not to walk, you may also transfer to the 44-O’Shaughnessy bus at 9th and Irving and ride to the Academy stop on Music Concourse Drive​

The #44-O'Shaughnessy bus stops across from the Academy at the Music Concourse on Tea Garden Drive (southbound) and in front of the Academy on Music Concourse Drive (northbound).

The #5-Fulton bus stops at 8th Avenue and Fulton Street, just outside the park. From 8th Avenue, walk into the park and turn right on John F. Kennedy Drive. Then turn left onto Music Concourse Drive.

From the Amtrak Station at the Ferry Building, walk up Market Street away from the waterfront to the Muni Metro Embarcadero Station (approximately 7 minutes). Catch the N-Judah Muni Metro Streetcar to the Irving Street and Ninth Avenue stop, and follow the walking instructions at top.

Please note that BART does not stop within walking distance of the Academy. To use BART, ride to one of several transfer stations and catch Muni's N line.

CityPASS saves you 42% on admission to the Academy and three other must-see San Francisco attractions—plus 3-days unlimited Cable Car rides & Muni bus Passport.

Bicycling

Bike racks are located on Music Concourse Drive to the left and right of the drop-off areas outside the Academy, as well as on Nancy Pelosi Drive to the right and left of the staff footbridge. Please note that for safety reasons, transport such as bicycles, tricycles, skateboards, and scooters are not permitted inside the Academy.

Driving Directions

From the North Bay/101S: From the toll plaza, take the 19th Avenue/Park Presidio Boulevard exit and go through the tunnel to Park Presidio Boulevard. Go two miles (7 blocks) to Cabrillo Street. Turn right on Cabrillo, then right again on 14th Avenue. Proceed one block north to Balboa Street and turn right. Cross Park Presidio Boulevard and turn right onto 8th Avenue, then continue on 8th into Golden Gate Park. Once in the park, make a right turn and then an immediate left—the Academy will be to your left.

From the South Bay/I-280 North: At Daly City, take Route 1 North toward 19th Avenue/Golden Gate Bridge. Just past the entrance to Golden Gate Park, turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. At the second stop sign, turn left onto Music Concourse Drive.

From the East Bay/I-80 West: Continue on I-80 through San Francisco for about one mile, then bear right, following signs for Golden Gate Bridge/US101 North. Follow signs for Octavia Street and Fell Street. The freeway ends at Market Street. Cross Market Street and go four blocks, then make a left turn on Fell Street. Go 1.5 miles on Fell Street. For access to the Music Concourse Parking Facility, bear right just beyond Shrader Street and turn right to Stanyan Street. Go two blocks and make a left turn to Fulton Street. Take Fulton to 10th Avenue, then turn left into the parking facility. For surface parking, continue on Fell Street, and just after Shrader Street, bear left onto Kezar Drive. Bear right on JFK Drive.

Please note that John F. Kennedy Drive is closed on Sundays from Transverse Drive to McLaren Lodge. Tea Garden Drive remains open for pick-up and drop-off, accessible via Concourse Drive from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Parking

The Music Concourse Parking Facility is located on Fulton Street and 10th Avenue and is open seven days a week. It includes 15 wheelchair-accessible spots near the elevator, allowing individuals with disabilities to easily access the Academy's front entrance.

On weekends and holidays, the garage often fills to capacity early in the day. Public transportation is highly encouraged during these times.

Please note that the Music Concourse Parking Facility is operated by CityPark, not the Academy, and is subject to standard rates per hour. For more information, please visit their website.

The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it is home to a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum—all under one living roof.